by Erin Kayata, Northeastern University

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It seems like every day there is a new food recall. This time, it’s carrots.

Multiple brands of the vegetable sold across 18 states have been recalled due to possible E.coli contamination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 39 cases were reported across 18 states, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and one death.

Food recalls have been on the rise lately with the total number increasing by 20% between 2020 and 2023, according to Darin Detwiler, a food safety expert and associate teaching professor at Northeastern University. This upward trend has continued into 2024 and includes Class I recalls that are the highest risk level for consumers.

“The increase in food recalls across various products, from deli meats to frozen waffles, has raised questions about whether broader issues within food regulation and oversight are contributing to this trend,” Detwiler said. “Several factors could be contributing to the uptick in recalls, and it’s likely a combination of circumstances that have created this heightened level of concern.”

One of the factors at play is a restructuring of the Food and Drug Administration, Detwiler said. The transition is aimed at creating “a more centralized, cohesive approach to food safety,” he added, but it can also create temporary gaps.

On top of this, there’s a number of external factors at play. Many manufacturers relaxed their practices during COVID, which is now catching up to them, Detwiler said. Election season can affect how government agencies operate and economic pressure might lead to companies cutting costs.

“What we’re seeing is likely a perfect storm of factors: regulatory transitions, pandemic-related inspection gaps, increased detection capabilities, and economic pressures,” Detwiler said.

“Together, these elements have led to a surge in recalls. While it’s unclear if one particular issue is driving the trend, the combination suggests that there are vulnerabilities within the food regulatory system that need to be addressed to restore consumer confidence.”

At the same time, Detwiler said we’re seeing an improvement in the technology that tests for pathogens which means that more cases are being caught and sooner which indicates an improvement for food safety.

“Improved detection methods and stricter safety measures … have led to more effective identification of foodborne illness outbreaks and contamination incidents,” he added.

The most recent outbreak came out of California’s Grimmway Farms. The voluntary recall was announced Saturday.

Both baby and whole organic carrots were affected and may not only be in stores, but in people’s homes, according to the CDC. They urged people to check their products and throw out or return any affected products.

The FDA could be doing more to prevent these outbreaks, Detwiler added. He said the agency could implement stricter oversight of food supply chains, especially for global products, making it easier to trace items to more quickly identify the source of contamination, expand resources so smaller producers can meet safety standards, and work with state, federal, and industry patterns to promote or mandate recall readiness.

Many recent recalls were for prepared foods and fresh produce. Detwiler said prepared foods, which include ready-to-eat meals and commercially packaged products, are often recalled due to undeclared allergens in the while produce often has to be recalled for contamination from bacterias like salmonella, E.coli, and listeria. The same often goes for poultry products.

Detwiler said consumers can protect themselves by regularly checking the FDA and USDA recall lists or signing up for recall alerts. Following proper guidelines when it comes to storing, cooking, and cleaning of food can also help reduce the risk of contamination, as can checking labels to avoid manufacturers with a history of recalls and purchasing from reputable grocers.

Provided by Northeastern University

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.

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